D.C. Bike Share a Victim of Its Own Success

With 174 stations in DC, and more than 200 throughout the region, Capital Bikeshare has logged almost 5 million rides since it launched in 2010. The program's immense popularity has caused some problems however, with demand often outstripping supply.

1 minute read

August 8, 2013, 9:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Born in 2010, the bike-share service has spread to Arlington and Alexandria, signed a contract for expansion into Montgomery County and this year is approaching 1 million trips logged by subscribers," writes Nicole Chavez. "In some ways, such rapid growth is a nice problem to have. But it can still be a problem."

"Those who have paid $75 for an annual subscription for unlimited trips of up to 30 minutes sometimes can’t get wheels when they want them," she explains. "Other times, they get the bike but not the slot to dock it in. And workers constantly struggle to balance the number of bikes and empty spaces in bicycle stations across the city. In 2010, one van shifted about 300 bikes a day. Now, six vans move 1,000 bikes daily, from 5 a.m. to 1 the next morning."

“It’s hard, because we are stuck in traffic like everyone else,” said Eric Gilliland, Capital Bikeshare’s director of operations.


Friday, August 2, 2013 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

1 hour ago - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

3 hours ago - UNM News

Bird's eye view of half-circle suburban street with large homes.

In More Metros Than You’d Think, Suburbs are Now More Expensive Than the City

If you're moving to the burbs to save on square footage, data shows you should think again.

5 hours ago - Investopedia